April 2018

Our final morning on the road, and it's a nice clear morning at the Kandanga free rest area. We add a few coins to the donation box, and had a cuppa with the neighbours.

We dropped off the Red Beast after a quick look at the local New Age caravan shop. Had a pickup from Deb's sister Maxine who drove us out to lunch.

and then tea/coffee at The Silva Spoon.

Neil +Maxine drove us to Brisbane to have a shopping fix prior to the drop + run at the Brisbane airport. Some bargain shopping was had + yes we made sure it fitted into the suitcases.

We met up with Irene & Andrew at the airport whilst in the Qantas lounge. It was great to catch up.

Special thanks to all the family that have looked after us whilst we were in Queensland.

Here are a couple of bonus pictures from our flight home to Perth last night. We arrived home safely at home in Busselton.

After a look around town in Childers we found the local library for Ian.

We then purchased a lovely fresh Lamington to have for morning tea with our coffee back at our campsite, the Childers Crescent St. 20 hour rest area.

We set off heading to Kandanga free camping rest area and along the way stumbled, as you do, upon the Tiaro Library.

We passed through Gympie and had to take a stroll along the shopping strip. As we turned a corner we found a Sushi train restaurant, something Deborah has always wanted to try.

Who did we run into at Kandanga at the camping area? Mum & Dad ofcourse.

Mum just had to show Ian the Library at Kandanga.

But in the end it was all about Mary (Verhoeven).

We bid farewell to Cania Gorge, a spot that was very special indeed. You know when you are in a place surrounded in such a variety of wildlife which is picturesque. It leaves such a memorable mark with you. This location was gold. We feel sure our overseas family + friends would love this experience.
The variety of birds, kangaroos laying not 10 metres away from you, and even the tiny Bettongs were so delightful.

Our drive today took us through Monto. We past these murals on the town water tanks that Deborah wanted to share with you.

The scenery on todays adventurous track Mum & Dad sent us on left us feeling totally relaxed. The cows out here are very relaxed in the country as they stroll across the land choosing what to eat next. A T-Bone is looking good about now.

Our excursion took us through 3 separate double gates of properties Deborah opened as Ian drove shot gun (today being Anzac Day and all). We came across this little gem in one of the paddocks.

We came to Boolboonda Tunnel. This tunnel is now home to a colony of Bentwing Bats.


It was used as a rail line from Bunbaberg to Mt Perry delivering passengers + mail from 1884 + it ran 2 services of a day until it was closed in 1960, no longer being viable to run.

Here is the Bentwing Bat.

This track was constructed totally by manual labour, no power tools. The days were long, the labour intensive for each person that worked on this line.

The locomotive.

We made it to Gin Gin in QLD, then proceeded to Lake Paradise (Paradise Dam) then headed to the Childers RV friendly 20 hour rest area +settled in for the night.

Our first morning at Cania Gorge, and it was a misty mountain hop style (anyone remember Led Zeppelin).

Of course it's not just at the 5 o'clock feed time that the birds say hello.


It's not only the birds, but also the kangaroos come freely roaming.

What to do when at a gorge? You go gorge trekking. On with the hat and shoes. But first a spot of lunch at the bottom of the hill in a nice picnic area.

Then off we go.

Which way now, Deborah?

Ok, looks like it's Dragon Cave. Due to the dark dragon like image in the light coloured limestone
Next stop is Bloodwood cave, which has a Bloodwood tree root growing through it.

It's hard work this trekking, but nice views.


The Gorge lookout was the last stop, before the return journey.

We noticed these tree? ferns growing off the rock faces as we went up/down the tracks.

After 2 hours walking through various trails at The Gorge we headed for a lookout to see the Dam which was full of water which has hundreds of thousands of fish. One of our fellow campers went out with his boat and caught a feed for their dinner.

Of course it was 5 o'clock bird feeding again.


Also at nighttime the elusive Bettong can sometimes be spotted. We glimpsed one as it hopped away.

We left our free camping spot at Murgon this morning. Lovely hot showers and flushing toilets. Luxury, and all for the princely price of $10 key deposit, refundable upon departure.

Headed to the Info Centre to get the key refund, but not before 9am. hen We picked up a 2 for 1 coffee at 'The Coffee Bar 4605'. Bargain at $4.50.

Travelling along the highway we found a few citrus selling shops at Gayndah. A quick stop for a bag of Queensland Mandarins for $5, and a chat to the big fella. Bargain.

Next stop for a wee and Mandarin break was at Mundubbera. Nice, 20 hour limit, rest stop with artwork, entrance statement and playground.

Onward to Cania Gorge, but what's a roadtrip without another Library stop. This time at Eidsvold.
What a lucky chap is Ian!

Our eventual night stop is Cania Gorge. We are here for 2 nights.

Ian had a turn on the water slide

The park is well set up for children +families with 3pools, waterslide,kiddy play areas, bouncing pillows, tennis +par 3golf course.

Ian then attracted some of the local bird life at the daily 5pm feeding.

We farewelled the parts of the family that were camping next to us, and headed off from Caloundra in a north westerly direction....or so Ian said.
We had a quick stop at Goomeri and took in the extensive collection of bric a brac in a local shop. Amazingly Deborah found some of her favourite bowls. The last ones we bought were discovered in Tasmania a few years ago.

Of course clothes washing is a never ending job even when at home. But drying it when travelling presents some interesting challenges. Here's the Red Beasty with washing -drying insitu.

We also discovered some of the quaint features of country life...Pumpkin festival coming soon.

We made it to our overnight stop at Murgon. You get access to toilet and showers, as long as you get the key from the info centre before they close at 1pm. We got there at 12.45pm, to see the closed sign! But we rugby tackled (we are in Queensland) the lady as she tried to run away...

Of course, what do all good towns have in common? Ian at the Murgon library.

What to do for dinner? We do have eggs etc, but the local Services Club at Murgon beckoned, so we listened.

Bats are in the belfrys, or at least the trees above us as we rest for the night.

We had an early morning walk along the beach promenade outside the Caloundra BIG4 caravan park.

Deborah then caught up with some clothes washing, with the Scrubba. (Thanks Chris for the recommendation it worked a treat on its maiden voyage).

A short walk to the Verhoeven family reunion, at the Caloundra Bowls Club, took us past the local library (of course).

Deborah was able to catch up with some family members she hasn't seen for a while, and others she has never met. Ian tagged along to meet the few he has met plus some of the other 50 plus family members.

This is my Poppy + Grandma who came to Australia from Holland.

I have many memories of them in a house they lived in, in Aitkenvale, Townsville from when I was a child.

This is the Verhoeven contingent of those who were able to attend.

My family

My cousins

There were 4 generations at the event today.
Here are Dad's Brothers & Sisters.

We had Dad's cousin's from Dordrecht, Holland, Wouter + Tous. Ian +I visited them last year on our world trip.

Like many Eastern states people there is always a group of gamblers. Deborah was enticed into the den of iniquity. Keno!

Of course when you're at a Bowls club what else would you do but play bowls. Deborah got a few lessons from her nephew Wade Mutzelburg.

We left the raging Ukelele town of Kenilworth after Ian had checked out the local library.

And Deborah had relaxed in the paddock next to the Red Beast.

We left to head to the family gathering at Caloundra, but wanted to have a coffee stop at picturesque Montville on the way.

Needless to say you can never predict the weather, so the view behind us was full of mist and rain, not the valleys and greenery we expected to see.

Heading off again we traversed some wet 10 degree incline roads. But we made it to our next stop in Caloundra,

right next to some of the Tassie contingent of the Verhoeven family.


A big surprise was waiting at the dinner gathering, when Wout and Tous from Holland arrived, and presented Basil with a 80th birthday present.

Now we settle in for the night and wait for the official Verhoeven family gathering at lunchtime tomorrow.

We had a fabulous flight with Qantas flying business class. First time we have experienced a lay down bed on a plane. (Points helped with the upgrade).

We had our airport early morning pick up at Brisbane airport @5.30am (3.30am Perth time). Thanks to Deb's youngest Sister Maxine + Mum. We then went into Brisbane to pick up Deb's older Sister Caroline and headed up to the Sunshine Coast.

The three Sisters went for a road trip for a cuppa coffee/which turned into a social drink or two at the pub at a scenic location in the afternoon after a brief nap.

Wednesday was Deborah's Dad's birthday. Basil turned 80 a huge milestone. The family & some friends went to his favourite upmarket restaurant for lunch. Sizzlers had run out of baked potato +barramundi at 12.30, Salad was great. A great time was had by all. The Sisters presented Basil with a patchwork quilt to keep him warm on cool camping adventures.

Our road trip took us to a VERY wet Eumundi Markets.

At the local Eumundi Pub you don't hitch your horse, you hitch your dog out front.

This elephant is made completely of plastic bottle tops. So this is Bottle tops Art.

Our first night in the Red Beast took us too Cedar Grove Camping Area, in the Amamoor State Forest.

We have it on good advice that platypus swim through here. We had a good look but found tadpoles, a small catfish, kookaburras, whip birds, Bush turkeys, Robins + a white cockatoo.




We had a few drinks with our neighbours, next to their campfire, only to hear what we first thought were firecrackers. No light was visible, but it was followed by an almighty crack followed by tree branches smashing nearby.

After 2 nights at the folks we picked up the red beast/Postman Patish, to head off on a few camping ventures.

We went for a stroll through the rainforest at Cedar Grove.


No platypus.

But a few tadpoles.

Ian took me to a scenic spot for lunch on the top of Bluff north of Kenilworth. We saw a wonderful butterfly that was not shy at all.

Thursday: Camping at Kenilworth show grounds.

Where a Ukulele festival is being held for 4 nights. Could be a wild night in town. ?


We have met a few of the friendly locals in town.

We visited the local cheese company in town.
Now it's back to our camp site for happy hour +to cook up some delicious scrambled eggs for dinner.
Cheerio all

Our fellow campers Annette and Ray left today on route for Perth.

We had a visit from Mel & Neil for a morning cuppa before heading back to Mandurah.

We strolled into Donnybrook and stumbled upon a couple of our neighbours Chris & Allan who were heading to their farm at Williams.

Back at the campsite & enjoyed a lovely cuppa and a slice of birthday cake.

A Nanna nap and then onto a Happy Hour back at the ranch.
We popped the cork on a Whicher Ridge Redtail sparkling Shiraz, then settled in for a quiet night in.

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After a relaxing start to the day we had a morning tea gathering where we had Black Forrest Birthday Cake, freshly cooked scones by the lovely Annette and a cuppa.

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We strolled through the Carnival soaking up the atmosphere as we headed off to Tiffanys Cafe for lunch. On our way through we saw the Moto trial stunt team and the log chop.

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We all strolled back to the campsite at our leisure, some taking in the stalls at the Apple Festival.

After a social chit chat happy hour commenced, we were all able to watch the dismantling of the carnival rides & the departure of the classic cars & tractors. We farewelled Jeremy & Kristen who drove from Perth for the event and then started to cook dinner for the remaining troops.

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Deborah was given a bobble Gnomb to add to her collection, & a lovely number plate thanks Annette & Ray

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The night ended with the lovely view of a glowing full moon.

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Thanks to all who drove far and wide to make Ian's 60th amemorable experience.
Cheers!